Government May Ease Non-Solar Hour Grid Connectivity Restrictions

Deliberations on to reduce grid connectivity of solar power plants that don’t have storage systems to just the solar hours against entire day

The government is considering a proposal to limit the grid connectivity of solar power plants without storage systems to just solar hours, freeing up capacity during non-solar hours for other power inputs, particularly from storage systems.

Officials informed ET that deliberations are ongoing to revise the current practice, which allocates grid connectivity to solar generators for the entire day. Solar projects typically use this connectivity only during daylight hours, leaving it idle otherwise.

“If a company with grid capacity isn’t interested in incorporating storage or using the grid during non-solar hours, this connectivity will be reassigned to other developers,” a senior official told ET, requesting anonymity.

This reallocation would enable energy storage or other forms of renewable generation during non-solar hours, enhancing the efficiency of grid usage. The Grid Controller of India may be tasked with defining solar hours, officials suggested.

Power plans : Grid controller of India could be assigned to define solar hours.
At present, about 71 GW solar capacity is connected to the grid.

Standalone solar projects connected to inter-state transmission lines, which inject power into the grid in solar hours only, account for around 23 GW

Non-solar hours can be utilized for energy storage or additional renewable generation. “The goal is to maximize the use of existing grid lines. Some grid capacity remains unused during non-solar hours. Project owners could integrate energy storage systems,” another official noted, also requesting anonymity.

To facilitate this, the central transmission utility will provide substation-wise availability to agencies conducting renewable energy capacity auctions.

Currently, about 71 GW of solar capacity is connected to the grid, with around 23 GW from standalone solar projects connected to interstate transmission lines, which only inject power during solar hours, another official mentioned.

India’s target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 requires significant investment in renewable energy and its transmission infrastructure. New renewable energy stations with storage will be allowed to apply for non-solar hour grid availability, co-sharing existing transmission resources, according to sources.